Giving Back this Thanksgiving

ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 2015. The largest five-mile run in Texas, and one of the largest Turkey Trots in the nation with more than 20,000 participants, ThunderCloud’s Trot is a cherished Thanksgiving Day tradition in Austin.

ThunderCloud has raised nearly $2.5 million for Caritas of Austin through the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot. We donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the event to Caritas, which provides education and support services to working poor people to help them become self-sufficient.

Austin Empty Bowl Project

The Austin Empty Bowl Project is an effort by Austin area potters to fight hunger. Always the Sunday before Thanksgiving, this annual family-friendly event invites you to select your favorite from thousands of locally crafted ceramic bowls, have it filled with gourmet soup and bread and listen to live music while enjoying your lunch. Your $20 donation goes to Kids Cafe, a program of the Capital Area Food Bank, and Meals for Kids, a program of Meals on Wheels & More. Take the bowl home with you to remind you that others have empty bowls. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, November 22, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marchesa Hall & Theatre at The Linc (across from Highland Mall). For more information visit http://www.austinemptybowl.org/. Hope to see you there!

HEB Feast of Sharing 2015

Join H-E-B and United Way for Greater Austin to volunteer for the 26th annual Feast of Sharing! Feast of Sharing, the largest community Thanksgiving meal in Austin, provides Thanksgiving dinners to over 14,000 Central Texans each year with the help of over 1,400 volunteers just like you!

The event will take place at the Palmer Events Center (PEC) located at 900 Barton Springs Road on Tuesday, November 24th from 3-9 pm. For more information visit http://www.handsoncentraltexas.org/aem/general/event/?doc_id=2215.

Operation Turkey

2015 Turkey Tailgate

The big party where we smoke 450+ turkeys. On Wednesday, November 25th from 6 am – 9 pm at Third Base 13301 US-183 Austin, TX 78750.

Learn the basics of how you can help us during the Turkey Tailgate and Thanksgiving Day. On Thursday, November 19 at 6:00 pm and Sunday, November 22 at 2:00 pm. Location TBD. For more information visit http://www.operationturkey.com/schedule/austin/.

Meals on Wheels and More’s Thanksgiving Day Delivery

The number of people in our community who spend Thanksgiving Day hungry and alone is astounding. This year, Meals on Wheels and More, in partnership with our sponsor HEB, is proud to continue our tradition and enter into our third year of delivering holiday meals to home bound individuals in Central Austin on Thanksgiving Day. We will serve more than 500 meals this year with the help of 46 community volunteers. Meal preparations will begin in our kitchen before 7 a.m., with staff and volunteers arriving at or right after 10 a.m. Training for new volunteers will be held at 10:15 a.m.; meal delivery will begin at 10:45 a.m. For more information visit http://www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org/news-and-events/press-releases/thanksgiving.

CANstruction

Canstruction® is a unique charity which hosts competitions, exhibitions and events showcasing colossal structures made out of full cans of food. After the structures are built, the cansculptures® go on display to the public as a giant art exhibition. At the end of the event, all food is donated to local hunger relief organizations.

This years Canstruction Austin, TX Annual Competition starts Saturday, November 14th, 2015 from 8 am – 8 pm at Barton Creek Square Mall. The exhibits will be up for viewing through Sunday, November 22nd, 2015. For more information about how you can get involved visit https://www.canstruction.org/join/.

Food Pantries in need of donations and volunteers:

Austin:

Capital Area Food Bank: Drop off locations all over Central Texas. To find the location nearest to you visit https://www.austinfoodbank.org/get-involved/donateSalvation Army of Texas: Donate today at http://www.salvationarmytexas.org/.Caritas of Austin: Many donation and volunteer opportunities available. To learn more visit http://www.caritasofaustin.org/get-involved/volunteer.Hope Food Pantry: Many donation and volunteer opportunities available. To learn more visit http://hopefoodpantryaustin.org/ways-to-help-your-neighbors-in-need/.Mobile Loaves and Fish: Many donation and volunteer opportunities available. To learn more visit http://mlf.org/ways-to-give/.Foreman Phillips Outreach Center: Donations can be made at 2901 AW Grimes Round Rock TX 78664. Please call 512-251-6544 for directions and hours.Williamson County Crisis Center: Please contact us directly by phone at 512-255-1212 to donate or volunteer.The Caring Place: Make a donation of non-perishable food for the Food Pantry by dropping it off at The Caring Place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The food donation drop-off area is just inside the gate located at the northwest (rear) corner of the building located at 2000 Railroad Avenue. For more information visit http://www.caringplacetx.org/?page_id=195.Heaven’s Harvest: Donations can be made every Thursday until 7pm at 6040 Airport Road Georgetown , TX 78628. Please call 512-863-0854 if you have questions or need directions.